Big John Bates

Big John Bates is a guitarist/vocalist known for his dark alternative and rustic, post-punk style and has a long association with Gretsch guitars. Currently co-fronting the Noirchestra with Höfner-endorsee Brandy Bones, John's professional career began as singer and writer for Annihilator before moving to a garage style with the Voodoo Dollz.
Big John Bates: Noirchestra creates "relentless, film noir-inspired Dracula-awaking grooves” [2]by adding rural-gothic lyrics to dramatic rock. Hearing the first EP "Headless Fowl" Jello Biafra stated the Noirchestra sound was "extremely cool" [3] and included the band in his Alternative Tentacles catalog.[4] The Noirchestra features Big John Bates (guitarist/vocalist/songwriter), Brandy Bones (upright bassist/vocalist/songwriter), RequiEmily (electric violin) and Ty-Ty the Saviour (timpani/percussion/trap kit). Big John records banjo/mandolin while Brandy records cello/violin although they occasionally add additional live players as well.